Re: What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

I did a bit of a Gillmanization tonight. I bought a bottle of Black Bottle, and while flavorful, it is a little bright, so to speak. A little young and unbalanced. I combined the entire bottle with the following: about 3 oz of Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, 2 oz of Springbank 10/100 proof, and 2 oz of Higland Park 12. The Lappy gives great definition to the Islay peat already present in the blend, Springbank gives some great "naked" barley spice, and HP lends a rounder, more slippery mouthfeel (but not much flavor). All in all a much more balanced and interesting dram, and a good way to use up some nearly empty bottles.

Re: What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

Re: What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

Originally Posted by Brisko

I did a bit of a Gillmanization tonight. I bought a bottle of Black Bottle, and while flavorful, it is a little bright, so to speak. A little young and unbalanced. I combined the entire bottle with the following: about 3 oz of Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, 2 oz of Springbank 10/100 proof, and 2 oz of Higland Park 12. The Lappy gives great definition to the Islay peat already present in the blend, Springbank gives some great "naked" barley spice, and HP lends a rounder, more slippery mouthfeel (but not much flavor). All in all a much more balanced and interesting dram, and a good way to use up some nearly empty bottles.

I revisited this last night. The flavors are settling down, putting it squarely in "good blend" territory, but the mouthfeel is wonderful. Round and creamy, very easy to drink.

Re: What Wee Dram are you enjoying now?

Last night I tried most of the recently released Distiller's Edition Diageo releases next to their standard expressions.

Talisker - Preferred the regular expression. The sherry influence overpowered what I love about Talisker...that gentle peat.
Oban - Preferred the DE. Enhanced nose over the regular expression, and a longer, sweeter finish. Went very well with the fattiness of the duck we were served.
Lagavulin - Preferred the DE. Much more going on in the palate (spice and nutmeg) than the regular expression which to me is awesome peat/brine.
Dalwhinnie - OK, by this time I was pretty well soused, so this was a toss-up. Both went well with the creamy dessert.